Otto's Thrill

Otto Aumuller introduced Otto's Thrill in 1956, and the American Dahlia Society records show it has collected over 90 awards in the decades since, the resume of a permanent variety. Floret calls it a huge hit with wedding florists, which is the modern engine of its demand: giant rose-pink dahlias are the centerpiece economy in flower form. Research notes sometimes place its origin in Germany, but the sources we found credit Aumuller in the United States; the name confuses people in both directions. Mass-market availability keeps it cheap and everywhere, the rare list entry you can buy in March without setting an alarm.

Otto's Thrill is a large informal decorative, ADS classification 1104, size A with blooms of 8 to 10 inches. Grow it like the dinnerplate it is: a serious stake per plant, a hard pinch at 12 inches, and ruthless disbudding if you want maximum head size. For event work, many growers skip heavy disbudding and take slightly smaller heads on more stems; an 8 inch rose-pink bloom is still a focal flower. The blooms shoulder rain better than some giants but deserve harvest before storms regardless. Sixty-plus years of commerce means tubers are vigorous and forgiving. Gitts Perfection blushes paler toward a cream center if you want this flower in a softer register, supply permitting.